Tuesday

Sep 10, 2019 at 4:19 PMSep 10, 2019 at 4:26 PM

BEREA — Browns receiver Odell Beckham Jr. doesn't believe the "plastic" Richard Millie watch he sported Sunday against the Tennessee Titans violates a league rule and said Tuesday he will continue to wear it.

“I’ll still be wearing it,” Beckham said as the Browns prepare for a trip to New York for a "Monday Night Football" appearance against the Jets. “The same way I wear it every day, at practice, I go here, I go there. I’ve been wearing it. Take a shower with it on. It’s just on me.

"It shouldn’t be an issue."

Asked about a potential fine, Beckham said, “For what? You’ve got to look into the rule book. It says you can’t wear any hard objects. The watch is plastic. But people have knee braces on that are hard and made out of metal and you don’t see them taping it up. No jewelry on, so I’m good.’’

Beckham seemed exasperated with the situation, following up a disgruntled “If it ain’t one thing … it’s another” tweet Monday night with similar remarks.

“Yeah, that’s just my life. If I ain’t this, it’s something else,” he said. “If it wasn’t the watch, it would’ve been the way that I tie my shoes.’’

The watch seemingly violates a rule prohibiting “hard objects,” although donning jewelry during games is not prohibited. As of Monday afternoon, the league had addressed the issue with the Browns and intended to contact Beckham. And a person familiar with the situation told the Beacon Journal/Ohio.com a fine is not anticipated.

Beckham said Tuesday he had not talked with the league about the watch.

A representative of the Swiss company Richard Mille emailed the Washington Post saying Beckham purchased the orange RM 11-03 Automatic Flyback Chronograph McLaren for $189,500 at one of its boutiques.

Rafael Nadal wore the company’s RM 27-03 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal limited-edition watch, which the Post said retails for $769,000, during his five-set victory Sunday in the U.S. Open.

In his franchise debut following a March trade by the Giants, Beckham led the Browns with seven catches for 71 yards on 11 targets. He ran his string of consecutive games with at least three receptions to 58, tied for the third-longest in league history.

“I’m here to play football. I would love for them to talk about football and what I do on the field,” Beckham said. “If I messed up on the field or if I didn’t do well on the field, talk about my performance. Don’t talk about any extracurricular, that’s just it. If anybody else would’ve worn the watch, or if it was a $20 watch, it wouldn’t have been no problem.’’

Chess match

In their 43-13 victory, the Titans likely provided a blueprint for opponents on how to limit the effectiveness of the Browns’ defensive line.

The Browns had four sacks — two by Pro Bowl defensive end Myles Garrett, one by defensive tackle Larry Ogujobi and one by safety Morgan Burnett — but the “bloodbath” that Garrett predicted in ESPN’s "2019 Body Issue" did not materialize.

Defensive end Olivier Vernon played 56 of 61 defensive snaps and was shut out, not recording a tackle or assist. With Garrett expected to be double-teamed, Vernon seemed like a candidate to reap the spoils of that attention.

“I feel like there weren’t really many drop-back passes,” Ogunjobi said of Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota. “He was dropping back maybe 3 yards in the pocket, most of the stuff was play action, boots, screens.

“That’s what teams are going to try to do, try to screen us, try to slow us down. Just got to find ways to compete, correct it, go from there.”

Ogunjobi didn’t criticize his group, saying, “I think we actually played well as a defensive line. There’s always things we can improve on. I feel like when you have 18 penalties, it’s hard to overcome that.”

Browns coach Freddie Kitchens said he’d already put aside the Titans game. Asked if the Browns needed more production from their defensive line, Kitchens said, “I need the penalties to cease. That's what I need.”

Beer saga continues

Deb Carson, a national sports anchor for FOX Sports Radio, reported on Twitter that the NFL Players Association contacted NFL security after Titans cornerback Logan Ryan was sprayed with a beer by a Browns fan when he jumped into the Dawg Pound on Sunday.

Ryan was one of three fellow Titans celebrating an interception return for a touchdown by cornerback Malcolm Butler.

No wrap for Mayfield

Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield practiced and threw the ball well without a wrap or any other type of protection on his right hand.

Mayfield winced after Titans outside linebacker Cameron Wake rushed around right tackle Chris Hubbard and sacked him in the end zone for a safety with 1:42 left in the second quarter Sunday. X-rays were negative, but Mayfield left FirstEnergy Stadium with his wrist and hand wrapped as if he were wearing a fingerless glove.

"Lamm is going to be out for a little bit," Kitchens said. "I don't know how long. It may be a couple of days. It may be a couple weeks. I'm not sure."

The Browns will likely add a backup tackle.

No. 3 wide receiver Rashard Higgins (ankle) was in uniform and on the field during the open portion of practice, but his activity was very limited. Afterward, Higgins said he'll be able to play against the Jets. Backup tight end Demetrius Harris (shoulder) also participated and said he's feeling "good."

Extra points

• The Browns waived tight end Rico Gathers. Signed on Aug. 11, Gathers spent Week 1 on the suspended list for a violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy.

• Kitchens said he could see using starting receiver Jarvis Landry to field a punt as Landry did Sunday after Hilliard was hurt. “I could potentially see it," Kitchens saiad. "Jarvis is the definition of a football player. It does not make me nervous at all. It actually makes me very calm ... that he is back there.”

• After all the training camp angst about over the right guard position, Kitchens praised starter Eric Kush. "I thought Kush played well. I thought he held his own in there. He matched up against a pretty good player for the most part all day." Asked if Kush would be the starter against the Jets, Kitchens said, "Right now, yes."

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